Manufacturing essential to Wisconsin's economy

Recently, I participated in the fifth annual Heavy Metal Tours, where I joined hundreds of eighth-grade students as they experienced first-hand the many career opportunities in the manufacturing world. We toured Innovative Machine Specialists and V&H Truck in Marshfield, offering the students a view of custom machinery fabrication and heavy trucking supply and equipment. The students eagerly asked questions and took pictures of the high-tech fabrication techniques. As their eyes were opened to opportunities in the manufacturing sector, the students buzzed about how cool the machines were and how futuristic the methods were. I could see future engineers, technicians and manufacturers being inspired before my eyes.

In October, we celebrated Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin, a time to recognize the considerable role industry has played in our state’s history and will play in our state’s future. Wisconsin established a reputation for manufacturing excellence in the industrial age and we continue to be a world leader today. Manufacturing contributes over $57 billion to Wisconsin’s economy and accounts for 19 percent of our state’s gross domestic product. In 2014, 94.4 percent of all Wisconsin exports were manufactured products. Wisconsin-made products and technologies are in high demand all over the world.

Our state is known for our highly-skilled, adaptable manufacturing workforce. Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for manufacturing employment concentration. As of December 2015, about 9,500 manufacturing companies are located in Wisconsin, employing more than 465,000 workers.

With manufacturing essential to our economy, the strength of our state’s heavy industry is tied to the strength of our overall economy. It is vital that Wisconsin maintains a deep, steady pool of highly skilled workers.

Wisconsin manufacturers already worry that they cannot find enough available workers to fill current job openings. This demand will only continue to grow.

As baby boomers enter retirement and our economy expands, the need for highly skilled workers will become more urgent. A 2015 study of 29 central Wisconsin manufacturers revealed those companies estimate they need 1,500 machinists/welders in the next three years alone. Recent projections estimate the industry will need tens of thousands new, highly skilled workers by 2024 to fill vacancies in manufacturing sectors like medical devices and biotechnology, defense, and water-related processing equipment.

In order to meet the workforce demands, Wisconsin is partnering with industry leaders to develop a multifaceted approach to worker training. The state continues to invest in worker training programs like Youth Apprenticeship and Wisconsin Fast Forward, which provide targeted, hands-on training for in-demand skills. These programs offer students the opportunity to discover if a career in the industry is right for them, while learning the practical skills and knowledge necessary to be successful.

As we train the next generation of manufacturing workers in Wisconsin, ongoing partnerships between local business, local high schools and technical colleges are vital to recruiting and training our workforce. These partnerships focus on developing a sustained pipeline of skilled workers that directly meets employers’ needs. Growing and training our workforce is critical to maintaining Wisconsin’s reputation as a manufacturing powerhouse.

After touring fabrication and trucking facilities with students and experiencing their excitement first-hand, I have no doubt that the next generation of manufacturers in Wisconsin are ready to carry on our state’s proud industrial tradition. Together, we will meet the demands of modern manufacturing and remain a dominant producer of manufactured goods.